![[Image]](../../Images/season_cover.jpeg)
More Info: www.abandcalleddelicious.com
Verdict (Rating): Adult-orientated Pop (80%)
When trying to categorize ABCD, I considered bundling ABCD into the Nu-Breed category along with acts like Marvellous 3, SR71 etc. However, whereas Nu-Breed acts use a rock base for their music, ABCD use more of Pop base. The band describe themselves as 'smart power pop' and cite comparisons with bands like Counting Crows, Ben Folds Five and Dave Matthews Band.
Smart is word that applies to ABCD on a number of levels. The name is touch on the clever side. Their web site is simple and effective. Similarly the album cover. And if you visit their web site you'll see that the adjectives 'smart & clean cut' apply to their appearance.
The opening duo are modern pop tunes with slowish verses followed by a more uptempo chorus. The semi-acoustic 'What About The Love' has a singer/songwriter feel. 'Frump' is an angry little number where the vocal sound suitably strained to convey the emotion. By contrast 'Only Roses' is a gentle number with a underlying sense of melody. '17 Years' is a semi-acoustic number with minimal jangly guitars pointing out that you really don't know everything at the tender age of 17. 'Rich Girl' is a jerky stop/start tune that sees the band in more of a rock mode. The band spoil things a little by following this with a plodding melancholy tune called 'Too Far To Fall'. OK, for a band that I've previously described as smart they rather predictably complete the album with a tune called 'Farewell'. Despite the cheese factor, I think I'll give this slice of modern pop my vote are the best tune of the album.
This is power pop for adults (AOP? - Adult Orientated Pop). Melodic Rock fans with their eyes focused rearwards to the 80s aren't going to find too much of interest here. However, if you're one of the melodic rock fans with an open mind towards modern music, perhaps you're already checking out Nu-Breed Melodic Rock acts, then ABCD are well worth investigating.
